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Rehtaeh Parsons’ friends were silent about alleged sexual assault

The announcement echoed through the halls of Cole Harbour District High School and the surrounding community Wednesday — official acknowledgement of news that was news to no one

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The family of a Halifax teen who committed suicide after allegedly being raped and bullied is urging people not to use violence to avenge her death. Rehtaeh Parsons'cousin says justice is needed for victims of sexual violence.(The Canadian Press)

COLE HARBOUR, N.S.—The announcement echoed through the halls of Cole Harbour District High School and the surrounding community Wednesday afternoon — official acknowledgement of news that was news to no one.

Rehtaeh Parsons, a former student, had died, said principal Debbie Rowsell over the loud speaker. Students could donate to a collection jar for the SPCA in her honour, she said, and the school dance, planned for Thursday, would be postponed to allow students to grieve the animal lover known for a quick smile and a ready helping hand.

But in the days following her death Sunday — after a suicide attempt Thursday — administration at the school had not made mention of it, say students, even as rumours spread that at least one of the teens who allegedly raped her still walks the halls.

Many in this suburban community outside of Halifax are beginning to realize that what happened to 17-year-old Parsons needs to be acknowledged, even if it is too late.

“A lot of people had kinda seen it coming, but didn’t actually think that it would happen,” said Scott Thomson, 16, who for years had gone to the same school as Parsons before she transferred schools to escape bullying.

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According to her family, when Parsons was 15 she was allegedly sexually assaulted by four boys at a home on a weekend night in November. A photograph of the alleged assault was taken, and within days it had been circulated through the school via email and social media.

Rehtaeh Parsons was 17 when she killed herself, 18 months after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by four teens in her small town of Cole Harbour, N.S. (Courtesy of Facebook)

Parsons was bullied relentlessly, called a “slut,” propositioned by boys she had never met because of her false reputation, says Leah Parsons. Her daughter descended into a deep depression, switched schools, checked herself into hospital for six weeks to improve her mental health.

Thomson was among the many who knew about the incident well before Parsons’ death. One student, who grew up with Rehtaeh but said they had grown apart in high school, said she had seen the picture.

She shifted uncomfortably when asked why she and others didn’t tell anyone.

“I don’t think anyone knew it was that bad,” she said.

The family went to the Halifax police and the RCMP who, after nearly a year of investigation, determined that there was insufficient evidence to lay a charge for either sexual assault or child pornography.

In it, he urged Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister Ross Landry to take action: “For the love of God, do something.”

After initially stating the investigation would not be re-opened on Tuesday, Landry announced hours later that he would be asking staff for information about the mechanisms that exist to review the case.

His spokesperson said Landry did not have all of the information about the situation when he initially spoke to reporters. After hearing from outraged Nova Scotians throughout the day, he changed his tune.

He met with Parsons’ family Wednesday for discussions about how the case was handled.

Meanwhile, web activists Anonymous claimed Wednesday night to have identified at least two of the four male teens, and threatened to release those names if it became evident that police officials were not moving on the case.

“We want the RCMP to take immediate action,” the group said in a statement. “What we want is justice.”

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